SUMP vs Canister?
- Thread starter robocop
- Start date
scsinet
Active Member
I'm not sure if it's that they are better performing... Sumps just offer advantages that canister filters don't.
-=SCSI's List of awesome reasons to buy a sump=-
1. More Customizable. With a sump, you can buy exactly what you need/want, such as the exact pumps, exact returns, etc. With a canister, what you see is what you get. Keep in mind, I am NOT talking about customizable filter media. Both have that.
2. Water Level Stays Constant. With a sump, the water level changes that occur due to normal evaporation take place in the sump, so you don't get scale buildup in the main tank along the top, and you tank always looks nice and full
3. Hide Equipment. A sump allows you to hide your heaters, dosing drips, etc below. The only equipment that HAS to show in your main tank is your overflows and returns.
4. Ideal for Dosing. You can dose concentrated chemicals into the sump without worrying about your fish swimming into a death cloud becuase the additives have a chance to dilute some before reaching the main tank.
5. More water. A sump adds to your water column. More water is better.
6. Easier to reconfigure. You don't have to tear down a sump to add filter media or drop a bag of carbon or buffer in, etc. You can just drop it into the water.
7. Easier to Expand. If you buy a skimmer, reactor, etc down the road, you're already equipped to support it. You don't have to buy ugly HOB versions.
That said, I will say that canister filters are definitely cheaper and can be quieter, so it's all in what you are willing to spend, and your commitment to the hobby in the long term.
-=SCSI's List of awesome reasons to buy a sump=-
1. More Customizable. With a sump, you can buy exactly what you need/want, such as the exact pumps, exact returns, etc. With a canister, what you see is what you get. Keep in mind, I am NOT talking about customizable filter media. Both have that.
2. Water Level Stays Constant. With a sump, the water level changes that occur due to normal evaporation take place in the sump, so you don't get scale buildup in the main tank along the top, and you tank always looks nice and full
3. Hide Equipment. A sump allows you to hide your heaters, dosing drips, etc below. The only equipment that HAS to show in your main tank is your overflows and returns.
4. Ideal for Dosing. You can dose concentrated chemicals into the sump without worrying about your fish swimming into a death cloud becuase the additives have a chance to dilute some before reaching the main tank.
5. More water. A sump adds to your water column. More water is better.
6. Easier to reconfigure. You don't have to tear down a sump to add filter media or drop a bag of carbon or buffer in, etc. You can just drop it into the water.
7. Easier to Expand. If you buy a skimmer, reactor, etc down the road, you're already equipped to support it. You don't have to buy ugly HOB versions.
That said, I will say that canister filters are definitely cheaper and can be quieter, so it's all in what you are willing to spend, and your commitment to the hobby in the long term.
